During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company initiated a restructuring program designed to optimize the assets, business processes, and information technology systems of the Company in relation to the Business Combination with Adtran Networks. The restructuring program is expected to maximize cost synergies by realizing operation scale, combining sales channels, streamlining corporate and general and administrative functions, including human capital resources and combining sourcing and production costs. This restructuring program is expected to be completed in late 2024 and includes expenses specifically associated with achieving run-rate synergies as well as Business Efficiency Program expenses described below.

On November 6, 2023, due to the uncertainty around the current macroeconomic environment and its impact on customer spending levels, the Company’s management decided to implement a business efficiency program (the “Business Efficiency Program”) targeting the reduction of ongoing operating expenses and focusing on capital efficiency inclusive of certain salary reductions, an early retirement program, a site consolidation plan to include lease impairments and the partial sale of owned real estate (including the potential sale of portions of our headquarters), inventory write downs from product discontinuances, and the suspension of the quarterly dividend. The Business Efficiency Program expands upon other recently implemented restructuring efforts and synergy costs following the Business Combination. For instance, on August 17, 2023, the Company’s management determined to discontinue its copper-based Digital Subscriber Line broadband access technology products and its fixed wireless access products in its Network Solutions segment. Furthermore, on September 29, 2023, the Company’s management decided to exit the "IoT" gateway market (indoor and outdoor), a subset of the broader IoT market (together with the other product discontinuations, the “Discontinuations”). Additionally, on October 25, 2023, all employees were informed of certain personnel measures, which included the reduction of salary for select management, a reduction of approximately 5% of the workforce, an early retirement program and a hiring freeze.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $25.1 million of costs relating to the Business Efficiency Program. We expect costs in the first quarter 2024 and thereafter relating to the Business Efficiency Program to range between $22.2 million and $35.2 million. Management expects these planned costs to include severance costs ranging from $12.2 million to $18.9 million in connection with an early retirement program and reductions in workforce, inventory write downs from product discontinuances ranging from $7.6 million to $10.3 million, and site consolidation transaction expenses (primarily brokers fees) ranging from $2.4 million to $6.0 million. Future cash payments include: severance costs and outplacement fees that are anticipated to be in the range of $12.2 million to $18.9 million, payments relating to the site consolidation transaction expenses that are anticipated to be in the range of $2.4 million to $6.0 million, and potential cash payments of $3.6 million to $6.3 million for anticipated product discontinuances. We may also incur other charges or cash expenditures not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or associated with, the Business Efficiency Program, including potential impairment charges related to the discontinuance of additional product lines, regulatory requirements related to personnel measures, and site closures.  However, we are not able to estimate the amount or range of amounts of such potential incremental charges as of the date of this filing. If required, we will amend this disclosure at such time as management is able in good faith to estimate the amount, or range of amounts, of these charges.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $21.5 million and $1.6 million of restructuring costs relating to the Business Combination under the multi-year integration program and synergy realization, respectively, that are included in cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Loss.

In February 2019, the Company announced the restructuring of a certain portion of its workforce predominantly in Germany, which included the closure of the Company’s office location in Munich, Germany accompanied by relocation or severance benefits for the affected employees. Voluntary early retirement was offered to certain other employees and was announced in March 2019 and again in August 2020. This plan was completed in 2021 and all amounts paid in 2022.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending restructuring liability, which is included in accrued wages and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows:


(In thousands)	2023			2022
Balance at beginning of period	$	159		$	1,514
Plus: Amounts charged to cost and expense		22,241			1,629
Less: Amounts paid		(14,091	)		(2,984	)
Balance at end of period	$	8,309		$	159

Restructuring expenses included in the Consolidated Statements of Loss are for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:


(In thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Network solutions - cost of revenue	$	2,910	$	8	$	13
Network solutions - inventory write-down		24,313		—		—
Services & support - cost of revenue		—		—		3
Cost of revenue	$	27,223	$	8	$	16
Selling, general and administrative expenses		11,603		117		221
Research and development expenses		7,728		1,504		174
Total restructuring expenses	$	46,554	$	1,629	$	411

The following table represents the components of restructuring expense by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:


(In thousands)	2023		2022		2021

United States	$	34,629	$	2	$	289
International		11,925		1,627		122
Total restructuring expenses	$	46,554	$	1,629	$	411